Logan, the eldest of the MacBride clan, is thrilled at his brother Clay’s pending nuptials to Sandy. But when Sandy’s sister RJ arrives at the family’s ranch, Logan’s world is turned upside down. However, the sisters’ shared past has created scars and barriers against love testing Logan’s ability to push aside his need and patience to win RJ’s trust and ultimately her unwavering love.

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If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what would it be and why?

Wow! That’s actually a hard and interesting question. In each book, my characters have to overcome some behavioral boundary they’ve usually put up themselves based on life experiences. So in Logan and RJ’s story I envision myself sitting down with each of them and saying the following, “Everyone’s journey through this life is unique and you have to honor that. But if you’re willing and truly wanting to find happiness and fulfillment you won’t shy away from the hard. A heart can only be broken if it is willing to take a chance.”

I feel RJ encased her heart to be able to function and not lose anymore of her self worth than she already had growing up. I wanted her to find a man that would prove to her that if she was willing to give him a chance he wouldn’t let her down.

Please share a few fun facts about this book.

Well, two things come readily to mind on this.

First, the location came about as a result of a girl’s trip. A friend and I try each summer to pick a place in the mountains to visit for a few days. In the summer of 2016 we went to Palisades, Colorado just outside of Grand Junction. The area is well known for its peaches but in the last decade or so the area expanded to include wineries and a few lavender fields. Well, considering that I like to let my imagination roam when we are driving and I am taking in the area I wondered what life would be like for a family that lived and flourished in the area. And that is how the MacBride family came to be.

The second fun fact is about the ATV the girls get a kick out of driving. I’ve been on the back of a traditional ATV before but in the early summer of 2016 I rode in a side by side ATV. What a hoot! There’s a long story about how I came to be riding in that ATV that involves getting our truck stuck in the mud, digging for hours before it rained again, spending the night in the truck, then hiking seven miles (all up the side of a mountain) before getting rescued by those ATVers. But that is another story that may end up in a book someday. 🙂

Do you intend to write your characters with certain personalities or do things “just happen?”

I start out with certain personality traits I want each character to have. That’s natural as I’ve pre-determined those previously mentioned self imposed behavioral boundaries. So if I were to have those boundaries it surely effects the overarching “personality.” However, with all that said and planned ahead of time I still am surprised by other personality traits that show up. Since I’m mostly a pantser in my writing style I don’t also know the situations the characters will find themselves in. I’ve been surprised a few times on how they react.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

There are so many to chose from!

Jane Austen is one that would be intriguing to learn more about. Her irony and wit play out so well in her stories surely she had to be a hoot in person. Considering the influence her work has had on literature and the fact she never saw any of it come to true fruition had to be hard. I would love to hear what she would think of how we as readers have come to adore her stories.

Jayne Ann Krentz (Amanda Quick) has that ability to write historical, contemporary and futuristic on par with the best in each of the genres. That is hard to do, but she masters it. I’d love to find out how she jumps between all three with apparent ease and skill.

Nora Roberts. Heck who wouldn’t want to have lunch with her. From what I know of her personal story she had struggles but never gave up on love or believing in the romance between individuals. That in itself is inspirational.

Is there anything fun you’d like to share with the readers about yourself?

Talking about myself is the hardest thing to do. I sometimes think I have to be the most boring person because I am more of a listener than a talker. It’s probably why I excelled at Human Resources especially Employee Relations. Good god, the things I’ve had to listen to! Now those experiences are where I could find characters, and maybe have, to incorporate into my stories.

BUT I am known for being something of an instigator on occasions that has gotten me and my friends in trouble, mainly with our husbands. And it’s those same great friends that remind me that my boundaries can shift also so that I can experience life more fully also.

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RJ ached for her sister. Sandy was always the starry eyed sister. But she was hurt by how Sandy could have been going through this and never saying one word to her. She had to know. “Why couldn’t you talk to me about this?”

“I’ve struggled with how I was going to answer that,” Sandy said, holding up her hand to forestall RJ interrupting her. “I know I should tell you the truth but I think my truth will hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”

“I’d be more hurt with lies,” RJ told her. She’d learned early to protect herself from the cruelties her family could dish out and instinctually threw up her emotional guards.

Sandy nodded. “Alright. I didn’t want you to ruin it for me. I know you wouldn’t see it that way but you’re so against love and marriage, I just didn’t want you to pop my bubble until I figured out what I felt and wanted.”

RJ felt those comments like a physical blow. No barriers she could erect stood a chance against her sister thinking she would ruin her chance for happiness. She couldn’t speak.

“Oh, RJ! Don’t cry. You never cry,” Sandy wailed when she saw the silent tears in her sister’s eyes. She started crying also as she grabbed her sister’s hands. “I’m so sorry. Please, please don’t cry.”

About J.L. Petersen

J. L. Petersen lives in Denver with her husband. She finds inspiration in her adopted state of Colorado. She’s enjoyed reading all types of romance for years and finally found the courage to start telling her own stories. Ms. Petersen believes love is the strongest, most powerful of emotions. It allows us to trust, believe, forgive and have hope. Her stories try to bring those emotions to her characters.